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Census 2000 Count: Some GIS Ideas
However, before anyone can look at the finished products, the data must be collected. Also, the quality of the data as products will only be as good as the effort that has gone into collecting them. While the bureau will do its best to gather accurate and complete information, it really cannot accomplish the task without the help of local stakeholders. This is why jumping on the Census 2000 bandwagon now is of prime importance. In the areas of recruiting and outreach, there are many activities in which local stakeholders can engage. Because of the spatial nature of a census, GIS is a natural tool to use since in so many ways the census is a marketing, siting, and impact analysis problem. Outreach/Target MarketingResistance to and disinterest in census participation is increasing. This drives up the amount of nonresponse follow-up the bureau must do. Specific populations in specific housing settings are more likely not to respond than are others. The result is that specific populations have higher undercount rates than others. To reduce these negative effects and improve general response rates, help is being sought in getting out the count. In part, think of the census as a marketing campaign. Below are a number of suggested GIS-related activities that local, state, and other agencies can undertake in concert with the Census Bureau with an eye toward improving the count and bringing the census home.
For more information, contact David Beddoe, Esri (E-mail: dbeddoe@esri.com). For more GIS-related activities to help with Census 2000, contact the Census Bureau office serving your area. Coordinate your outreach and recruiting efforts and help make Census 2000 a success. Your community depends on it. |